Teeny Todd

[Insider2]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 11:46am

Just saw the clumbersome, messy Sweeny Todd set in a mental hospital, or in Toby's mind, or in some kind of netherworld where people mime eat invisible pies and play tubas simultaneously, where Sweeeny walks around half of act two holding a coffin, or a baby, or a barber's chair, or the director's brain, where Patti Lupone looks like she might step out of character and throttle Michael Cervasis each time she gets spat all over by him, where the first three rows of the audience should receive free raincoats when they walk in the door, since it is obviously a splash zone from all Michael's spittle, where poor Patti runs around banging on bells, sleepwalks through some lines, pumps on a tuba, clangs on a cowbell, all the while with a glare on her face that seems to say "where is my agent? get me out of this contract!", where, if you did not go in knowing the story already, you would have absolutely no idea what was going on, where all of this is somehow considered brilliant........ Maybe someone should stage Oklahoma and set it in an airport waiting room, or stage West Side Story with the Jets dressed up as dogs and the sharks dressed up as cats.....and cast Maria as a 350 pound drag queen, and Tony can be played by a twelve year old. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
Updated On: 10/24/05 at 11:46 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:35pm

"stage West Side Story with the Jets dressed up as dogs and the sharks dressed up as cats"

You stole my idea!!

It reminds me of some of the bad Shakespeare that I've seen.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:42pm

Admittedly, I have not seen this production yet... But somehow I have a sneaking suspicion that this would be my exact review of it, if I did.

Incidentally, I didn't realize it was like a "Gallagher concert" to see Cerveris perform! I saw him years ago in Hedwig, but I don't remember needing a raincoat.

By the way, I can't wait for your production of Oklahoma! in an aiport waiting room. Sounds just as brilliant as this does.

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 12:42 PM

[Avigdor]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:43pm

unfortunate that the Director's vision has become the focal point of this how not the story/music

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:49pm

wait a minute... West side story wasn't done with Maria as a 350 pound drag queen. Then what was I on when I saw it???

LOL

Loved your review! It's always hard to post your opinion when others think a show/director's vision is Brilliant! I commend you!

[Avigdor]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:05pm

the only downside to this whole situation is that if sondheim didnt like it..it wouldnt have moved forward..i assume..so i guess you could say the director is being true to mr. sondheims vision.

[peach]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:18pm

I was actually going to go see this production next week, but I have decided not to risk spending the $100 on a ticket just yet.

I've read all the reviews on the board, good and bad, and have kept an open mind. But, I am not sure I am going to enjoy this particular production of Sweeney.

Still wavering on what to do...is it good and scary at least?

EDIT: Also, I'm concerned with claims that the director's "vision" is detracting from the music and book. If that is the case, perhaps I will pass...but part of me wants to see it now out of curiosity... :)
Updated On: 10/24/05 at 01:18 PM

[BluCat500]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:43pm

It had very intense moments, gave me chills at least, peach...

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 1:57am

I am so glad to find a few people who agree with me on the misguided concept of this show.

I have to wonder if Sondheim actually liked it or if he just wanted to see some success and a new interpretation of it. He seems to have kept mum on the whole thing as far as I can tell. I mean, the guy's last show was a flop so maybe a nice little Broadway revival didn't seem so bad. Just speculation...maybe he does think it's great.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 2:24am

There's no 'L' in cumbersome.

[broadwayjules]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 4:54am

LOL Insider2...this completely made my day, thank you! When I saw it, Patti used her towel she keeps hanging around her waist to wipe her face when she sat down to play the bells, lol, that had me rolling! Can't say I wouldn't mind Michael spitting all over me though!

[LostLeander]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 5:26am

Saw this on Saturday...

I still haven't decided whether or not I liked it or not.
I mean, I liked it, it definately made me leave the theatre thinking. I would definately say this a show for the Sweeney lovers, not those who are unfamiliar with the score or show, and DEFINATELY not a show for those more akin to... other... shows, like Hairspary, and Beauty and the Beast.

I think I understand the directors concept. It's all about the music. He's glorifying Sondheim's music, as the driving force of this show. Having the actors play the entire score is pointing out the fact that the music is an all too important character of the show. You could say this about many of his shows, but this one in particular. There are so many moods sets, stories told, feeling felt that are not spoken or sung, but in the orchestra, so elimating the non-acting orchestra makes his watch the actors ACT the music, vocally AND instrumentally.

I found myself watching the actors who were not singing or acting play the score respond to what's happening beside them, or in front of them, etc. Tobias' especially, if you watched, as I'm sure he was directed, he was actually controlling the whole show. So, it was an interesting concept to see the show through Tobias' eyes. It almost becomes his show. ALMOST. This is where the concept becomes a bit muddied. And the fact that these people are onstage playing at all times becomes jarring, and it's what people remember, but that's not the point. It's not a gimmick, it's a vision of the show, which happens to seem very gimmicky.

Writing this I seem to have found that I did indeed like the revival. I saw it in previews, so hopefully some of the more confusing traffic issues of the show get worked out and become cleaner, but all together, it's a great concept.

However, I ended up hating Michael Cerveris. This score does not serve him well. He kind of moped around stage also, which places the show in Mrs. Lovette's hands, whereas Angela's (or Prince's Lovettes) were subtly always in control, Sweeney at least commanded the stage.
Patti's constant switches from belt, to mix, to head voice, need to be worked out. They're a bit jarring.
But otherwise, she is wonderful. She is very humble up there, and it's great to see. She's is sticking to her part. I love her walk.

I may write more, but I am pooped.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 8:46am

From PattiLuPone.net:

"I am so lucky and I am not saying my performance is going to be something extraordinary. I'm just saying that I haven't felt this creative in a long time. The rehearsal process is exciting, enlightening, invigorating, and exhausting. The company of actor musicians is among the finest cast I have ever worked with. I hope it works out and Sweeney runs because I want to be on stage with these guys for a long time."

Oh yea...she REEEEEEEEEEALLY hates this show.

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 8:50am

I think insider's whole post is only three sentences. Two if you don't count "......" as end punctuation.

Thanks for the review, insider!

[Urban]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 9:04am

You know you are up sh!t creek when Patti is nice and supportive.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 9:34am

What the heck is that supposed to mean? Explanation....

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 9:41am

Ill sum it up for you in two words
"It Sucks"

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 9:47am

Everything Insider2 sees apparently sucks.

Many people have been less than impressed, yet the show remains powerful and moving to many others. It is hardly the disaster you describe though, no matter what you think of the staging or concept the actors are giving it their all and are extremely effective at both roles.

[Insider2]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 11:03am

Everything I see does NOT suck. Doubt and The Pillowman were brilliant, as was the Trailer Park musical, before the producers got their hands on it, put too many cooks in the kitchen, and mucked it all up into a total mess. I usually only post when I see something horrendous, though, because at the prices we all pay for Broadway shows, I think there should be more opinions on this board than salivating fans who rave that everything they see is completely amazing and flawless.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 11:22am

I agree with that sentiment, but as it is you come accross as very angry and it is harder to respect an opinion when it is not put into creative context.
The salivating glee your posts evoke when disecting a show hardly seems necessary.
There have been many posts from people who didn't like Sweeny Todd, I didn't like Trailer Park. There is an unusual anger in your posts that, to me at least, undermines your review.

I am all for dissenting opinions here and elsewhere, and am not one to rave about much, a salavating fan I am not. With that said, there seem to be more constructive, critical means to achieve that end.
If you had posted that you enjoyed shows such as Pillowman and Doubt and why it would lend your pans a perspective and level of accountability.

[roquat]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 11:27am

There actually was a D.C. production of "Gypsy" which was set completely in the train station--apparently it was all supposed to be taking place in Rose's mind. No props, no real set, nothing. I didn't see it, but I heard it was not even interesting enough to be a real disaster.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 11:53am

You know you are up sh!t creek when Patti is nice and supportive.

Definitely, Urban. By "I hope it works out and Sweeney runs because I want to be on stage with these guys for a long time"...I can totally tell that she thinks the show sucks and it's up the creek.

[Urban]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 2:19pm

I love Patti to pieces, but there is no hiding the fact she is La Grand Dame sans merci

[morosco]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 5:25pm

"...if sondheim didnt like it..it wouldnt have moved forward..."

I've heard this argument from several different people. How would Sondheim's opinion on the show matter? For all I know he might LOVE this lousy production but it doesn't change my opinion one bit.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 5:37pm

Insider2---I appreciated your honesty and your humor in the review.

Feel free to post your own opinions in the future, as well. People get upset because they disagree with what you say, or for other various reasons.

That doesn't mean they should tell you what your own opinion is.